Opportunistic use of wireless network stations as repeaters
US8270338B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 26, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 26, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W88/06
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Implementation of opportunistic use of stations in a wireless network as repeaters is described. In one implementation, a station detects the existence of rate anomaly in a wireless network. In response to the rate anomaly, the station may transform into a software repeater for certain other neighboring stations. The repeater function allows for the relaying of packets sent by these neighboring stations to the access point and vice versa. The other neighboring stations, owing to their relative proximity to the repeater station, transmit data at a higher rate to the repeater station. Thus, the removal of the slower stations reduces clogging of the access point and increases the overall data rate within the wireless network. Further, a zero-overhead network coding protocol may be implemented in conjunction with the repeater function to increase capacity of the wireless network.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.